Industrial park issue put on future agenda

The debate over whether industrial parks should be allowed to locate onto prime farmland may not be over yet.

Commissioners unexpectedly reopened that issue Tuesday. At the urging of Commissioner Mike Amyx, commissioners agreed to place the issue on their Oct. 14 agenda.

Commissioners earlier this month gave preliminary approval to a new industrial chapter of Horizon 2020. The chapter made reference to preserving prime agricultural ground, but did not prohibit it from being redeveloped for industrial purposes. Some people had urged commissioners to adopt tougher standards to protect prime farmland from becoming industrial property.

Amyx said he's interested in strengthening protections for prime ag land, but doesn't want an outright ban on using prime farmland for industrial parks.

Commissioners directed staff members to bring back suggested language to debate at the Oct. 14 meeting. Commissioners agreed to reopen the issue on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Rob Chestnut opposed.